Smoking appliance



Jim@ 20, 1937 R, 1 sPRAGlNs 1,914,466

CMOKING APPLTANCE Flleo ATT,L 9, 1939 Patented June 2Q, 1933 STATES BOBERT L. SPRAGNS,

0F ABERBEEN MARYLAND SMOKING APPLIANCE Application filed April 9, 1930. Serial No. 442,853.

This invention relates to smoking devices and more particularly has reference to smoking pipes and cigar and cigarette holders.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applications, Serial No. 319,596 tiled October 5, 1928; Serial No. 405,162, filed November 6, 1929, and Serial No. 406,333 tiled November 11, 1929.

ll pon smoking there is formed within the bottom of a pipe bowl, a dirty gummy mass, and as is well known, the stem becomes contaminated with a liquid disagreeable to the taste, which is condensed from the tobacco smoke. Frequently on drawing through the stem of the smoking device this liquid is injected into the smokers mouth as well as solutions of particles of tobacco and saliva. 'l`he deposits of the product of the smoke tobacco tend to clogr the stem of the pipe, with the result that the dirty and disagreeable task of cleaning the smoking apparatus is necessitated at frequent intervals.

rl'he diificulties encountered in smoking pipes as outlined above are also present in the use of cigar and cigarette holders. n the case of the holder, while the bowl is eliminated, a stem through which the smoke is drawn into the smokers mouth must be considered. This stem is subjected to clogging. similar to that outlined above, and as in the case of a pipe requires frequent cleaning.

The art, while often providing smoking devices with absorbing, adsorbing and filtering units, has failed to consider the possibilities ot eliminating undesired vapor partir-les from the smoke by condensing them and so separating the condensed liquids that they can not reach the smokers mouth. While construction methods in the past have made use of a metallic tube inserted in the neck of the bowl so as to lead the smoke from the bowl to the mouth grip, because o the far-t that metal is a goor. heat conductor, and the tube is formed of a material having a thin cross section, it soon reaches a temperature which is substantially the same as the smoke which passes therethrough. As soon as this condition arises, it will be appreciated that condensation in the tube ceases. Moreover, in constructions of thisy type the metal condensation tube is in direct communication with the mouthpiece o the smoking apparatus so that any liquids condensed therein are drawn into the smokers mouth.

While attempts have been made to eliminate the disadvantages encountered in using the ordinary smoking devices such as pipes, cigar and cigarette holders, they have been upon an elaborate and complicated scale with a consequent high expense. The majority of these developments have also been ineffectual to remove the inherent disadvantages in these devices. Moreover, near developments in smoking appliances which have to any extent eliminated the drawing o distasteful substances into the smoker s mouth have also operate to remove rom the tobacco smoke the effect known to smokers as the kick".

The major object of this invention is to provide means to prevent distasteful substances and particles of tobacco from being drawn into the mouth of the smo rer, while at the same time allowing the many pleasing properties of the smoke to remain una tered.

Another important object of this invention is to prevent any liquid introduced into the stem of the smoking device from flowing into the smoking material receptacle associated therewith.

Another object of this invention is to devise smoking devices such as pipes, and cigar and cigarette holders provide with readily detachable means, which will prevent distasteful substances from being drawn into the mouth of the smoker, and will operate to cool the smoke and make the same p easing to the smoker.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a smoking device with a compartment entirely separated from the smoke passages wherein the tilth and liquids forme and /or injected into the apparatus are collected or accumulated.

Still another object of the invention is the designing of a novel two part mouthpiece for a smoking device, the grip portion thereo ly all of the being formed of a relatively infusible organic compound, which encases a tubular moisture absorbing member having a substantially uniform diameter throughout its length.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a two part mouthpiece having absorbing qualities adapted to any moisture from reaching the mouth of the user. the inner part thereof being of a length snliicieiit to extend for a substantial distance within the stem of the smoking device.

Another object ot' the invention is vent any liquid introduced into the stem of the smoking device from flowing into the smoking material receptacle associated therewith.

these and other obiects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding1 that the several necssary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

The invention coiiipi'ehends the provision fil a smoking device which allows the maximum enjoyment to the user. One method of practically ctlnectiiig the concept ot the invention is the provision ot a smoking apparatus having a smoking material receptacle connected to a two compartment stein forming a condensation and drainage unit, and a mouthpiece provided with an absorbing member secured to the lattei'.

ln order to make my invention more clearly understood. I have shown in the accompanying drawing. means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the iniprovenwntsl in their useful applications to the particular constructions which for the pur- ;'iose of explanation have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a pipe constructed in accordance with my invention.

`igure 2 a cross sectional elevation taken along the line 2`2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevation taken along the line 3`3 of Figure 1.

Figure l shows a sectional View of the iiiventioii embodied iii a cigar or cigarette holder.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation ot' a pipe similar to that shown in Figure l but provided with a different arrangement of the 5 smoke passages positioned therein.

a cross sectional elevation taken Figure 6 is along the line Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view along the line 7`7 of Figure 5.

roughout the drawing, like reference numerals refer to the different views. There shown in Figure l a sectional view of a smoking' pipe having a bowl or smoking material receptacle l, and a mouthpiece designated by Z connected thereto by means of a tubular stein 3. The tobacco receiving bowl 1 may be of any desired shape and may be constructed ot any suitable material. It iiiav be observed that the. bowl is provided with a neck 4, the end of which has formed thereon a reduced portion 5. sageway 6, below the center line of the extends through the neck and into the i'oin an inspection of Figure 1 it may be observed that taken Y noted that the bore of the duct 7 is substantially the saine as that or the passageway 6.

The tube 3 wh'ch forms the stein of the pipe is of such diameter that its end firmly engages tiie reduced i t e neck 4 of the smoking material receptacle.

y material receptacle because of its tight lit or engagement with the reduced portion.

T 3 most distant from the smoking material receptacle there i partition 8 which divides the forward compartment or chainer 9 and a` rearward compartment or chainhe partition is flush with the walls p and may be ormed integral therewith or secured thereto in any convenient manner. Iii igure 1 the as formed integral with be walls which upon the left ot the partition possess a smaller cross section than on the right. While this formation of the tube walls tends to provide a structure poslsessiiig considerable strength. it will be appreciated that this practice may be varied if desired so that the walls of the tube 3 are of a uniform cross section throughout the full length ot' the tube.

he purpose of providing communication between the compartments 9 and 10 the partition 8 is provided with two openings. one below the other. The upper opening is in alignment with the passageway 6 in the neck of the bowl and is of a diameter Sullicieiit to allow the smoke duct 7 to pass therethrough with a tight fit. ln the second opening. just mentioned, there is positioned a short conduit 11 which may be maintained in position by frictional engagement with e opening. The conduit 11. as

t ie sides oft may be observed, affords a direct communihaving a. lip 110 of which hes in a cation between the rearward compartment 10`r which as will presently appear forms a condenr-iation chamber. and a forward chamber 9, which will also appear provides a drainage chamber or a unit.

Shown associated with the smoking material receptacle and the tube 3 a two part mouthpiece 2 formed of an outer or encasing portion which provides a grip piece l2 for the teeth of the smoker and a tubular moist-ure absorbing member l?, having a uniform outer diameter and a bore designated by I3. The grip piece has an internal bore or passageway of uniform diameter which extends entirely therethrough and in which the member 13 is detachably secured bv frictional engagement with the sides thereof. Provided upon the rear or smallest end of the grip are the usuall flanges formed upon mouthpieces of smoking appliances of this type. The inner or forward end of the grip piece is provided with a reduced portion I4 of a, diameter adapted to form a tight enga gement with the rearward end of the tubi` Ii when the mouthpiece is inserted therein.

It may be noted when the pipe is fully assembled that the absorbing member l?) is of a sufficient length to extend for a substantial distance within the compartment 9. Moreover.r as shown. the ends of the moisture absorbing member and the smoke duct overlap without touching or connecting with each other. By reason of this construction the length of the pipe may be considerably shortened, and the possibility of sucking liquids through the smoke duct into the moisture absorbing member is eliminated.

In Figure 5 there is shown a slight moditication of the arrangement of the smoke passages of the pipe of Figure 1. A neck similar to tl e neck 4 is formed upon the smoking material receptacle and provided with a reduced portion which has secured thereto a stein similar in construction to the stem 2 of Figure l. Secured to the opposite end of the stem 30 is a mouthpiece Q0.

The neck of the smoking material receptacle is provided with a passageway extending therethrough. the longitudinal center line horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal center line of the neck but slightly to one side thereof. As in the case of Figure l this passageway has a portion thereof enlarged so as to receive a smoke duct or conduit of a length suicient to extend within the stem and to pass through a partition 8O formed therein. The partition is also provided with an opening 'in which there is positioned a conduit 110 in the forward compartment 9() formed in the stem by reason of the partition.

As in the case of Figures l`r 2 and 3 the mouthpiece 2O is provided with a grip p0rtion l2() in which is detachably secured a moisture absorbing member 130, a suitable passageway extending entirely through the grip being provided for the reception of the moisture absorbing member. This passageway is so positioned that the moisture absorbing member 130 may have its longitudinal center line in a horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal center line of the mouthpiece but slightly to one side of the mouthpiece center line. The construction just described is clearly shown in Figures 6 and 7 where the moisture absorbing member 130 is up on the left of the smoke duct 70. In Figure 6 the conduit 110 has been shown as positioned in the transverse center line of the stem. By this arrangement the ends of the smoke duct and the moisture absorbing member extending within the rearward compartment l0() may overlap each other. Moreover, if desired. the conduit ll() may be raised a considerable extent above the 'Hoor or bottom of the stem.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the smoke ducts 7 or 7 0 are constructed of relatively thick glass. However. materials ossessing characteristics similar to glass and which arc also easily cleaned may be employed if desired. Such materials are for eX- ample, phenolic condensation products, hard rubber, amber, or other relatively infusible organic substances. In some instances the duct may be formed of aluminum or other metal having a thick cross section. This requirement of thick walls is essential in order to prevent the metal conduit from quickly reaching the temperature of the smoke passing therethrough and the cessation of condensation. Similar materials may be employed in the construction of the tube 3. In the construction of the stem, however, a phenolic condensation product is preferred because of the less likelihood of it being broken and its light weight.

The mouthpiece.r that is the encasing grip portions 12 and 1Q() are formed of material possessing a relatively great hardness which at the same time has a smooth surface. Suitable materials for the construction of the mouthpiece are phenolic condensation products` hard rubber` amber or any combination of these desired.

The moisture absorbing members 13 and 13() encased by the grips 12 and 1Q() respectively are formed of a suitable porous and moisture absorbing material such as wood. either seasoned maple or seasoned briar being provided. By this construction the flavors which these woods impart to the smoke is obtained. While the moisture absorbing members have been described as being constructed by either briar or maple it is to he understood that other species of wood may be employed if desired without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is evident that the advantages sought to be attained Will be accomplished by this construction. Briefly the operation of the pipe comprises condensing any vapor carried by the smoke in the smoke duct and in the condensation chamber 10 or 100, separating the condensed liquids from the smoke in the condensation compartment, conducting these liquids to the drainage chamber or compartment 9 or 90 and drawing the substantially dry smoke through a mouthpiece unfavorable to condensation occurring therein.

he smoking material receptacle is filled with tobacco or other smoking material and this is lighted in the usual manner. the smoker drawing on the pipe the smoke will enter the rearward compartment l0 or 100. As previously mentioned the duct 7 or and tube 3 or 30 are formed respectively of glass, and a phenolic condensation product or other similar materials. It should be noted that these members are formed With relatively thick Walls` while the preferred substances used in thc formation of th members may be poor heat conductors. their heat absorbing capacity duc to their mass and the large surface or contact area which they present to the smoke will successfully effect the desired condensation of the vapor. Moreover it will be appreciated that these substances possess relatively high specific heats and because of the mass of thc members which they form, there will be a substantial continual absorption of heat from the smoke during the Whole time of a pipe smokin It Will be appreciated that the smoke ducts or 70 are in no Way connected with their mouthpieces and moreover since the moisture absorbing members 13 and 13() and the smoke ducts overlap each other, these members are out of coincidence with each other. The purpose of the expedient is obvious when it is considered that a smoker, upon drawing smoke into his mouth, Will produce a suction effect Within the condensation chamber.

pon such a force being created, the smoke, condensed liquids and products of the smoked tobacco or other material will be drawn through the duct` and by reason of gravity, the latter will be deposited Within the condensation chamber Where they cannot be dravvn into the mouthpiece. It is equally apparent that liquid injected, by the smoker, into the condensation chamber cannot reach the bowl because there is no connection between the duct 7 or 'T0 and the mouthpiece and because these parts are out oi alignment with each other.

While a certain amount of condensation occurs Within the smoke duct it will be Well understood that this amount is small When compared to that occurring in the condensation chamber proper. The smoke, after passing through the smoke duct, enters into the condensation chamber, Where a further and substantially complete condensation of the vapor carried thereby, occurs.

ny liquid in the condensation chamber, Will when the pipe is held in a` position With its bowl below the horizontal be conducted through the conduit and into the drainage chamber Where it is collected. Should pipe be held in a position so that the bowl is above the horizontal it may be observed that liquid from member because of its position and also because of the fact that it is unconnected with the conduit. The liquids and filth accumulated in the drainage chamber are substantially prevented from re-entering the condensation chamber because the condult connecting these two compartof the pipe stem a suiiicient distance to prevent the liquid separated in the drainage unit from seeping back into the condensation chamber. Thus these liquids and filth are entirely separated from the smoke passages and cannot come into communication with them. It will be appreciated that any liquids of this nature coming in contact with the portion oi the moisture absorbing member eX- tending Within the condensation chamber would be absorbed because of the absorption characteristics of the material forming it.

The moho in a sub:V tantially dry conditi au from the condensation chamber tabula.: moisture absorbingn directly into the smokers mouth. it een pointed out that the moisture abthe serbios; member is constructed et' Wood. l. l i "l` .i substance posscsf a relatively' 1f z'l soci-inc heut the mass oi" the member rund therewith is small. and rloreover the 'factor 'favorable to the occurrence ot cfiudcusitiou. naiuelv a large contact arca for tlm smoke Within the moisture absorbiu f uf uber is lacking. This is apparent on cmsiclcring the bore area of the moisabsorbing member and it will hence be un-.h-rstood that substantially no condensation occurs therein. (lourhensatiou in tlo bore oit the moisture ahem-bine' member uther limited by the tact that the smoke "-21" therethrough is in a sbstantially puditieu sir-ce bv coudeusarrfn in the .ber 9 practically all ot the f-oiideuf-slilfvapors carried there@7 have been removed.

t' however, any condensation occur f hin the absorbing number. its absorbi qufiliiies will 1m-f care o." such auf! zout r;

n n will pre y liquid imuicl thereby iron: reachmouth of the smoker. The u'uisturc ig member also to a certain extent. irc@ moist vapor carrie-.l in the smoke.

the use of smokingv devicta, saliva is the' entering the moisture absorbing tenaces sometimes ejected through the mouthpiece and into the stem of the pipe. Upon the smoker drawing on the pipe, t-his saliva with some of the liquids condensed from the tobacco smoke are drawn into the smokers mouth. The construction shown in my invention eliminates the possibility of this effeet occurring. This is obvious upon considering the absorption qualities of the moisture absorbing member. Any excess of fluid of this nature will be ejected into the condensation chamber, and by reason of gravity will fall to the lower portion thereof. /Vhen the pipe is held in the usual position so that the bowl is below the horizontal and the mouthpiece is above the horizontal, fluid of this nature will run through the conduit 11 or 110 into the drainage chamber. However, when the pipe is held so that its bowl is elevated, the position and construction of the moisture absorbing member within the condensation chamber, as previously pointed out, will prevent iiqni-ls liowing into the mouthpiece from the condensation chamber while the rfnistruction and placing of conduits 11 or 9 prevents liquids from iiou'ing from the chamber' inl-o the condensation fY iber.

Vif" yn it is desired to clean the pipe, the

ithpiece is ren'ioved from the stem ny exc .ing a force directed away from the bowl of the device. This results in freeing the mouthpiece entirely1 from the smoking appfirntus. it .should be noted that the moisture absorbing members are constructed so to be removable from their encasing mems er its grip pieces. The moisture absorbing member may tnus be permitted to dry out while a new member is inserted in its place and used therefor. Having removed the imnitiipiece the stein or tube may be readily detached i rom the neck of the material receptacle in a similar manner.

The tubes 3 and 3() and the smoke ducts 7 and 70 are formed respecti'ifely of a phenol* condensation product and glass, both et' weich materials lend themselves to easy cleansing. Both the smoke duct and the conduit 1l or 110 may be easily removed from the sten?. after the latter is detached from the sini'ling material receptacle. In the assembling o't' these parts, it is apparent that the reverse operations are gone through. Obviously in the construction shown. cleansing ations need be undertaken only at infret intervals, particularly when the moisture absorbing member is frequently changed.

In Figure 4 the smoking device is embodied in a cigar or cigarette holder having similar construction details, indicated by the primed reference numerals, as the form of the device shown in Figures 1 through 3. A modied form of smoking material receptacle 15 adapted toireceiyexthe end of a cigar or cigarette is associated witlfr a tubular` stern- 3 which' engages a' reducedi portion 16: formed upon t'heend of the-'receptacle'. Detacliably securedl tethe:y opposite end of the stem 3f isa two pa'rt mouthpiece 2 provided with almoisf tureiabsorbing; member 13.. As inthe case of the apparatus shown iin' Figure 1,-a bore 6 extending through theV smoking` material recptacl'e isemployed.: Mounted in: the bore 6 isit-hei smokediuct 7i whichI extends through thenforward compartment 9', through the partition-,8f andi into; the' rearward compartmenti-10";Y e; i i a It should be noted that theV partition 8 is provided-.with three-openings,e one at its:` centeninalignment. Withthe bore-6 and the Aother2 openi'nfgssfonmedattlfleftop and bottom ofthe-.partition asshownwinl`igure 4. In these( openings there vispositioneda conduit vlfafnd a condu-itlSg. Aglsoftobe notedis the fantitha-tthe end off the smoke duct 7 is suitably curved at1a1`9 so` as to allow it to overlap the; end of'the moisture absorbing member 13"; As is welt known holders of this type aire rarely ever held in the; same position. .Hence twocondfuitsgvnamely 17 and 18 are employed `for `con-d-ucti'n'g the condensed liquidsjginto the' drainage compartment 9,. the yconduit.. L7 beinga'ti the lower part oat the partition andthe-@Beirut 18 beingat-the upper part,` o the partitionasishown-in Figure 4'. By the use of the two conduits, drainagefrom the compartment 10 into the compartment 9 .is assuieif. i. i l the medfcaion inleure 5i has been shown appliedto ai.pipe,-, it wilLbe ape preeiated that itco/,uld-beread-ily formed into agcigar ,.or cigarette `lholdin?I simil-ar sto that shown Fgune i 4. :by :merelyfvproviding' a srnc'ikingi material.` receptacle corresponding in natiiie tdtliat of thev receptacle 15.L l n'fngthe operationiot'the cigar and cigarette hldefrfoneed of thei cigar or cigarette is inserted lvi'itfliin the.: receptacle 1.5.l and the opposite'lendpi's lighted in the usual. manner. It is app'arentthat the smoke,I uncondensed vapois and. COndeIise'd liquids will be carried through thefsmol'r'e duct and into the condenit .where the latter will bedeposited l K x ,ann'er previously described. Moreover tlieuncondensed vapor willliere be sub- ]ectd'l' al further condensation'',eliiet.W ,'By the'i 'construction V'previously described connectionwith Figure 1 or Figure A5 it will apparent' thatpliq-nid within the condensation" 'unit Vis prevented 'from 1 reaching the'rnouthpiece as well as the 'smoking mateialfiecptaciein any position in which the holden maybe` held. vLikewise it may be observed 'tlatthis construction maintains the separated liquids in the drainage chamber and substantially prevents them from re-entering the condensation chamber. By the use of the moisture absorbing mouthpiece,

heretofore described, the user of the holder is assured of a cool and dry smoke.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that I have provided a novel smoking device having a novel condensation and drainage unit as well as a novel mouthpiece which effectively prevents any liquid in the smoking material receptacle from reaching the mouth of the smoker. It may also be realized that I have devised a smoking device capable of preventing liquid injected by the smoker into the mouthpiece thereof from reaching the smoking material receptacle. Likewise it is to be observed that the smoking apparatus previously described is applicable to pipes as well as cigar and cigarette holders, and in both instances provides a cool and dry smoke affording the maximum pleasure to the users taste. Besides being of inexpensive construction the device possesses a simple design facilitating quick and thorough, although infrequent cleansing of the parts thereof.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a smoking apparatus comprising a smoking material receptacle, a tubular stem detachably secured thereto, a two part mouthpiece detachably secured to said stem, a partition provided within said stem and dividing it into two compartments, said partition being provided with a plurality of openings, a smoke duct connected to said smoking material receptacle and extending through the forward compartment, partition, and into the rearward compartment, said mouthpiece having an encasing grip piece and an encased moisture absorbing member detachably secured therein, said moisture absorbing member extending entirely through the grip piece and being of a length suflicient to extend within the rearward compartment of said stem, the end of said moisture absorbing member overlapping the end of said smoke duct, and a conduit providing a passageway between the two compartments positioned within an opening of said partition.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

ROBERT L. SPRAGINS. 

